Tom Tom Bottom (or Resonant) Heads
Tension the bottom heads to medium. There should be no wrinkles. If the bottom head is "table top" hard, the drum will choke.
The bottom head should give when pressed with your thumb about one inch in from the edge.
Tap at each tension screw, one inch in from the edge. You should have the same pitch all around the head.
Tom Tom Top (or Batter) Heads
Tension the top head one half a turn at a time at each tension screw until the desired sound and pitch is reached. Fine tune the head by tapping at each tension screw about one inch from the edge. Adjust the tension screws until you have the same pitch all around the head.
Remember, the resonant head should always be a little higher in pitch than the batter head.
If the sound seams distorted, check at each tension screw, especially the resonant heads. One loose tension screw can distort the sound of a drum.
